Top 10 Reasons To Do Operation Christmas Child With Your Kids (And A How To)

Top Ten Reasons To Pack Boxes With Your Kids for Operation Christmas Child:

1. Your children can shop for someone their age who lives a world away which encourages them to think outside of their own box.

2. They have to be good consumers and not select outrageously expensive items which means they get to learn about the “B” word – BUDGET.

3. Your children can easily pack the boxes – it’s a simple way for them to get involved and feel like they have contributed in helping others.

4. You get to buy underwear and socks if you choose and for some reason, the thought of sending underwear is very funny to my boys. I know. Shocking.

5. The discussion that ensues when we bring up the fact that this little box we send over will very likely be the only Christmas gifts these children will see. Eyes astonished, hearts beginning to be awakened.

6. This Veggie Tales clip is awesome and includes actual footage of children who receive OCC boxes each year:

7. If you pay for the shipping cost ($7.00) online at Samaritan’s Purse, you can find out where your boxes end up – last year, ours landed in Uganda and Bostwana. Great geography lesson (See Below)

10. Lastly, but certainly not leastly (yes, a made-up word for such a time as this), to whom much has been given, much is expected. Much has been given to most of us so much is expected. It’s really that simple.

* The following was originally published in November of last year – was going to write a whole new post on OCC but then realized I would say the same thing.

DISCLAIMER: I struggled on whether or not I was going to post this because I am funny about giving and putting what I do with the kids in the spotlight. I believe the best donor is an anonymous one. However, I am not sharing this with you today because I want you to think I am super mom and just love to showcase all of the amazing things I’m doing with my children. I lose it far too often and have a case of the crabbies far too much to try to claim that title. I’m sharing this with you because 1) I adore this ministry and 2) I really want you to consider participating.

Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is the PERFECT way for everyone to give during the holiday season, but I have to admit that it is particularly perfect for the elderly and young children.

In a nutshell, OCC is part of Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian philanthropic organization dedicated to sharing the love of Christ with the children of the world. Each year, they ask for shoe boxes to be filled with small toys, socks, underpants, toiletry items, books, crayons, etc. for a child in a Third World country that would otherwise not receive any gifts during this time of the year. In addition, Samaritan’s Purse provides materials in their native language that shares the gospel. Many children have come to Christ through the love transported in these boxes.

Samaritan’s Purse offers the choice to fill for a boy or a girl and the ages are broken down into 2-4 years old, 5-9 years old and 10-14 years old. Our children choose to fill a box for a child that matches their gender and age. For example, Sarah will fill for a little girl in the 5-9 year old range and the boys will pack a box for a boy in the 2-4 year old range.

Luckily, our church is very active in this ministry as well so our children hear about OCC during Sunday school and American Heritage Girls (for Sarah). No worries if your church doesn’t participate (but I would encourage you to pray about starting one!). You can still do OCC with your children and do it well!

Next, show the OCC Veggie Tales clip (#6 in the list above). It generates great discussions – Samuel wanted to know why an elephant would carry the boxes to the children and Sarah was dumbfounded by the fact that many of these children had never received a gift.

Sometimes we look on a map at the various countries our boxes may go, sometimes not. We didn’t this year. I think someone knocked over a box of cereal and it cut our lesson short. Shocking, I know.

Next, we shop for our boxes and I stress before we go into the store that we will not be purchasing ONE THING that is for anyone else. This trip is only for our OCC kids (though I did sneak in a gallon of milk.) When you get to the toy aisle, you will be so thankful you had this conversation because very likely, it will keep your little people cool and calm (somewhat) as they are drooling over all of those enticing toys.

If you are paying for the shipping by check ($7.00), you will be asked to place the check on the top of the box as well. However, we like to pay for our shipping at the Samaritan’s Purse website because 1) it’s just easier and 2) YOU CAN TRACK YOUR BOXES. YES, YOU CAN.

Can you say “Geography Lesson”? Remember that map we talked about earlier? Our boxes went to Botswana and Uganda last year. New pins on our map of Africa.

I didn’t think I was going to go in this direction, but my former elementary teachin’ self just can’t help it. Think of the homeschooling-type stuff you could do with your little ones regardless of whether or not you school your children at home (and I don’t):

* Geography – Mark where your box traveled.

* Math – Calculate how far away this country is from your map for older children and simply count the number of items in a box for youngers.

* Language Arts: Write letters to the child who will receive your boxes. What do you want to tell him or her? Read books about giving and the specific country where your box landed.

* Social Studies: What are the people in this country like? How do they survive? What is the climate? What do they do for fun? What time is it there right now? (That’s kind of math, too.)

See why I can’t teach AND be a mom at the same time? My brain just goes on overload of the wonderful things that can be done with little minds and then I lose balance. I love thematic instruction.

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6 Comments

My kids enjoy this every year! This year our small group will be wrapping the finished boxes so they will get another step in the process. I am so thankful for the ministry of OCC! Love the pictures of your kids enjoying the fun, too!

This is one of my favorite ministries too! I (we) always end up buying too much for just one box and end up creating a second one, which is always cool too. Looking forward to doing another with you at MOPS. :) :)

We’re participating in OCC Shoeboxes for the first time this year, and I’m so excited about it! My toddler isn’t old enough yet to understand the concept behind it, but he’s going to help pick stuff out for the box. :-) I look forward to doing homeschooling activities like you mentioned with him when he’s older!

That picture of your kids packing the boxes is priceless, they look very excited about it! I love your tips and reasons for packing boxes. We’re heading to a packing party this year at a local church, I’m excited!

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